Georgia State Patrol Post 48 in Atlanta: What It Is and How It Serves You

If you live in or travel through Atlanta, Georgia, you’ve probably seen marked Georgia State Patrol vehicles on the interstates and major roads. Many of those troopers are assigned to Georgia State Patrol Post 48, a post that plays a major role in public safety and traffic enforcement in and around the Atlanta area.

This guide explains what Post 48 is, what it does, how it fits in with other Atlanta law enforcement agencies, and how you might interact with it in everyday life or during an emergency.

What Is the Georgia Department of Public Safety and State Patrol Post 48?

The Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the state agency that oversees:

• The Georgia State Patrol (GSP)
• Motor Carrier Compliance Division (MCCD)
• Capitol Police and related state-level security units

Within the Georgia State Patrol, the state is divided into posts and troops. Each post covers a certain geographic area and its roadways. Post 48 is one of the posts assigned to the greater Atlanta region, focusing heavily on major state routes and interstates in and around the metro.

In practice, that means troopers from Post 48 are often the ones you see:

• Patrolling interstates and state highways
• Responding to serious crashes
• Conducting DUI and speed enforcement
• Assisting local departments such as Atlanta Police Department (APD) and neighboring city and county agencies

Where Post 48 Fits in Atlanta’s Public Safety Network

Atlanta has several layers of law enforcement and public safety:

• Atlanta Police Department (APD) – Handles most city-level calls: neighborhood patrols, local traffic enforcement on city streets, investigations, and community policing inside city limits.
• County sheriff’s offices – Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, and others manage jails, serve warrants, and often assist with law enforcement in their counties.
• Georgia State Patrol (including Post 48) – Focuses on statewide traffic safety and enforcement, especially on interstates and state routes, but can operate anywhere in Georgia.

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta:

• A wreck on I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, I‑285, GA‑400, or other major state routes around Atlanta may involve Georgia State Patrol troopers from posts like Post 48.
• A neighborhood crash on a local street inside the City of Atlanta will more often be handled by APD, unless GSP is specifically called in.
• In many multi-agency incidents (major crashes, pursuits, hazardous-material events), APD, GSP, fire/EMS, and sometimes county agencies work together.

What Georgia State Patrol Post 48 Does for Atlanta

Troopers assigned to Post 48 provide several core services that Atlanta drivers and residents will notice.

1. Highway and Interstate Patrol

Post 48 troopers are heavily focused on traffic safety on major routes in and around Atlanta. Common responsibilities include:

• Speed enforcement using radar and laser
• Watching for aggressive or reckless driving
• Monitoring for following too closely, improper lane changes, and similar violations
• Watching for commercial vehicle violations, often in coordination with Motor Carrier Compliance

Their presence on high-speed roads aims to reduce crashes and keep traffic moving as safely as possible.

2. Crash Response and Investigation

When a serious crash happens on an interstate or state route:

• Local 911 dispatchers may send Georgia State Patrol along with local police and fire/EMS.
• GSP troopers often investigate severe or fatal crashes, reconstruct what happened, and document evidence.

You might interact with a Post 48 trooper if:

• You’re involved in a crash on a major highway around Atlanta.
• You witness a serious incident and pull over to give a statement when asked by law enforcement.

3. DUI and Impaired Driving Enforcement

Atlanta’s nightlife, game days, festivals, and heavy commuter traffic all increase the risk of impaired driving on major roads.

Troopers assigned to Post 48 often:

• Conduct DUI enforcement along interstates and major corridors
• Assist with sobriety checkpoints when coordinated with local agencies
• Remove impaired drivers from the road to prevent serious crashes

If you are stopped by Georgia State Patrol in the Atlanta area on suspicion of DUI, the trooper could be from Post 48 or another nearby post/troop.

4. Support for Local Agencies

Although Atlanta Police Department is the main city-level law enforcement, Post 48 troopers may:

• Assist APD or county agencies with pursuits that move onto interstates or state routes
• Help manage traffic control for major incidents, road closures, or large events
• Provide backup when local resources are stretched thin

You might notice this during:

• Major wrecks that shut down multiple lanes
• Severe weather events when many crashes and disabled vehicles occur
• High-profile events where state and local law enforcement visibly work side by side

How to Reach Help in an Emergency on Atlanta Roads

If you need immediate help anywhere in Atlanta:

• Dial 911 from your phone.

Dispatchers will determine whether to send Atlanta Police, county law enforcement, Georgia State Patrol, fire, or EMS based on where you are and what’s happening.

On Georgia’s major highways and interstates (including in Atlanta), you can also call:

• Georgia State Patrol / Highway Emergency Line: *GSP (star 477) from a cell phone

This number is often used to report:

• Serious crashes
• Impaired or reckless drivers
• Road hazards (debris in lanes, stalled vehicles in dangerous spots)
• Situations where someone appears in immediate danger on the roadway

👉 Tip: If you’re in a crash on I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, I‑285, or GA‑400 in Atlanta, calling 911 is still the best first step. The dispatcher can then send the appropriate agency, which may include troopers from Post 48.

Non‑Emergency Situations: Who You Should Contact

For urgent but not life‑threatening traffic or safety issues in Atlanta:

• Use 911 if there is an active danger (e.g., a car weaving across multiple lanes).
• For follow-up questions about a crash report or citation involving a Georgia State Patrol trooper, you may be directed to a GSP post or a regional office associated with Atlanta.

For non-emergency local concerns (parking issues, ongoing neighborhood speeding on city streets, noise complaints):

• Contact the Atlanta Police Department non-emergency line or your local precinct inside the city.

Georgia State Patrol, including Post 48, is mostly focused on traffic safety on major roads, not routine neighborhood calls.

What to Expect if You’re Stopped by a GSP Trooper in Atlanta

Being pulled over can be stressful, especially on fast-moving Atlanta interstates. Here’s what typically happens and how to handle it safely.

During the Stop

1. Pull over safely and promptly

   • Use your turn signal and move to the right shoulder or a safe exit ramp if possible.
   • Avoid stopping on curves or blind hills.

2. Stay in the vehicle unless told otherwise

   • Put the car in park.
   • Turn on your hazard lights if it helps signal you’re safely stopped.

3. Keep your hands visible

   • Rest them on the steering wheel.
   • At night, turning on your interior light can help the trooper see inside.

4. Follow the trooper’s instructions

   • They may ask for your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance.

Troopers from posts such as Post 48 are trained to conduct traffic stops in a consistent, professional manner. Remaining calm and cooperative helps the interaction proceed more smoothly.

After the Stop: Citations and Court

If you receive a ticket from a Georgia State Patrol trooper in Atlanta:

• The citation will list the county and court where it must be handled (for example, Fulton County, DeKalb County, or a specific municipal or state court).
• Payment, court dates, and dispute procedures are handled through that court system, not directly by Post 48.

For questions:

• You’ll usually contact the court listed on your ticket, which manages scheduling and payment.
• For technical questions about the stop or report, you may be directed to the relevant GSP post or troop office.

If You’re Involved in a Crash Patrolled by Post 48

On an Atlanta-area interstate or state highway, Georgia State Patrol may handle your crash. Here’s what that usually means.

At the Scene

• A trooper will:
  • Check for injuries and summon EMS/fire if needed.
  • Help secure the scene and direct traffic.
  • Gather driver and witness information.
  • Document vehicle damage and any contributing factors.

If injuries are serious or someone is transported, you may not get all details on the spot. Troopers will still complete their report afterward.

Getting a Crash Report

Crash reports investigated by Georgia State Patrol are typically available:

• Through state-level crash report systems, or
• Via the clerk or records unit associated with the area where the crash occurred.

The exact process can change over time, but in general:

• You’ll need the date, location, and driver information.
• Insurance companies often obtain these reports on your behalf.

If your crash occurred on an interstate or state route in Atlanta and you know a GSP trooper responded, you can:

• Ask your insurance company to retrieve the report.
• Contact the relevant court or state records office listed on any paperwork you received.

How Post 48 Relates to Other Public Safety Services in Atlanta

Public safety in Atlanta is highly interconnected. Besides Georgia State Patrol, residents and visitors interact with:

• Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD) – Handles fire, rescue, and many medical calls in the city.
• Grady EMS and other EMS providers – Often respond to medical emergencies and traffic crashes.
• Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) – Coordinates large-scale emergencies and disasters, sometimes involving GSP resources.

During major incidents in the metro area—such as multi-vehicle pileups on I‑285, hazardous material spills, or severe weather—Post 48 troopers can be part of larger, coordinated responses involving multiple agencies.

Staying Safe on Atlanta Highways and Around Post 48 Patrol Areas

Because Post 48 focuses on traffic safety, your own driving habits make a real difference. On Atlanta’s interstates:

• Leave extra space – Tailgating is a major factor in chain-reaction crashes, especially in heavy Atlanta traffic.
• Watch speed on downhill stretches and curves – Many enforcement areas are placed where crashes are common.
• Avoid aggressive maneuvers – Frequent lane weaving, sudden braking, and cutting off other drivers draw enforcement attention and increase crash risk.
• Never drive impaired – With GSP and local agencies heavily present around nightlife and event corridors, impaired driving almost always leads to serious consequences.

These habits not only reduce your chances of an incident; they also keep you from needing to interact with law enforcement like Post 48 in a negative way.

Quick Reference: Georgia State Patrol vs. Local Atlanta Agencies

Understanding who does what helps you know what to expect when something happens on the road or in your neighborhood.

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, Georgia State Patrol Post 48 is one of the unseen backbones of highway safety—patrolling the busy interstates, investigating serious crashes, and supporting local agencies to keep people moving safely through the metro area. If you find yourself on Atlanta’s major roads, drive defensively, call 911 or *GSP (477) when you truly need help, and be prepared to interact calmly and respectfully with troopers working to keep the roads safe.